We’ve all been there when it comes to ditching our old threads.
When our pre-loved sweaters have lost their luster, most of us put them straight in the “donate” bin, assuming they’re still wearable.
Some people have a little more vision when it comes to keeping their old clothes out of the landfill, though.
Rather than give their clothing a new home, they give them new life.
This sweater has seen better days.
Even though it has absolutely no business being seen in today’s polite society, Lee Young-Kyung from DIY Edigna on YouTube is showing us that the thing still has value.
It even still has value in the world of fashion, if you know what to make of the material.
This is an upcycle worth watching.
Materials needed:
- One old sweater
- Fabric scissors
- Ruler
- Extra fabric of choice
- Iron
- Sewing machine or needle and thread
- Two buttons
Fashion doesn’t get simpler than this.
First cut the old sweater in three places. The neck, the bottom, and right up the middle of the mid section.
Starting below the hem of the neck, curve as you cut for a swoop-neck shape.
The second cut will be at the bottom of the sweater. Make sure to use a ruler keep the cut in a straight line (no swooping here).
Lastly, you will cut the sweater straight up the middle, but only on the front side of the sweater. It should look like the picture above.
Starting to see the idea?
You will then focus on the fabric scrap created from cutting the bottom of the sweater.
You will cut this piece to create three separate sections.
Pick a complementary fabric. This fabric will be cut, ironed, and sewn onto the edges of the fabric strips, as well as onto the old sweater too.
This fabric is key.
So, make sure to follow the steps carefully. This fabric will be cut into strips and then sewn together to form one long strip of fabric.
After sewing the fabric together it should be folded lengthwise in half. This fabric will be ironed to make sure it is completely smooth.
Once the fabric is smooth it will be time to sew the fabric onto the old sweater.
It will be sewn alongside the edges of the front, which had previously been cut open.
It creates eye-catching trim.
Watch your fingers at the sewing machine.
Once that is complete, grab the fabric scrap from the neck of the sweater.
We’re making pockets.
This neck-piece will be cut in half and trimmed to create two identical rounded pockets.
The edges of these pockets will also have the trim sewn onto them.
Then the two pockets will be sewn onto the old sweater, one on each side of the front opening.
Let’s get down to brass buttons.
The only part thing left to add to our upcycled sweater is the beautiful buttons of your choice.
Both buttons will be sewn to the top of the sweater.
Now, grab the bottom scraps.
Lee Young-Kyung brings these back out to create a separate piece that can be added to the sweater.
What do you think she creates?
She created a matching scarf.
This DIY project might seem like it’s not for crafty beginners but take the project step by step and at your own pace. You might be surprised at just how easy it is.
The beauty of DIY videos is you can hit pause at any time, while you complete a certain step.
Rewinding to watch certain steps over again is also super helpful.
This is one of the most rewarding sweater upcycles for a novice to try and it doesn’t take much to accomplish the task.
See the whole step-by-step process for this adorable sweater upgrade in the video below!
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